Glass washing machine



Nv.25, 1941-. C,F AHANSON 2,263,807

GLASS WASHING4 MACHINE Filed May 3, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheetl l NV- 25 1941 c; F. HANSON GLASS WASHING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 25, 1941.` c. F. HANsoN GLASS WASHING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Patented Nov. 25, 1941 GLASS WASHING MACHINE Casper F. Hanson, Albert Lea., Minn., asisigno'to Olson Manufacturing Company, Albert Lea,

Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application May 3, 1939, Seria-I No. 271,486 c 17 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for washing and cleaning glasses, tumblers, and similar small containers. y Y

The primary object of the invention is to provide in a portable, compact, simple, and efficient form, a power actuated Vmachine by the useof which glasses and tumblers of all kinds maybe quickly and thoroughly washed and cleaned of all foreign matter and film fromboth inner and outer surfaces. Another object ris to provide a machine of this kind particularly suitable for commercial usage in restaurants, soda fountains, and the like, and which requires no special or additional equipment and space but may` be set into any usual washing tub or sink and there used to rapidly clean the glasses as required. A further object is to provide arnachine of this kind which will operate in relatively shallow water in the container in which it is seated, and in fact with a water level so low that, when not in use, the brushes o r cleaning elements of the machine willstand clear of the water for rapid drying; Still a further object is to provide a machine employing a minimum number of working and wearing parts but which` nevertheless embodies water pumping and distributing means effective to circulate and discharge the water over both interior and exterior surfaces of the glasses while simultaneously subjecting those surfaces to rotary scrubbing and brushing action.

These and other more detailed and speciiic objects will be disclosed inl the course of the following specification, `reference being had to the accompanying drawings, `in which- Fig. l is a vertical cross sectional view through my improved machine, showing aportion of la container for its reception," and showing in broken lines a glass in the process of being cleaned; the outer brush elements being removed. I i

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the' lower housing member showing the `pumping element or impeller.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken Valong the line 4--4 in Fig. l.`

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, with a portion of the upper water distributing member broken away to better disclose the construction of theclean- I ing element.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through one central and lateral portion of the glass cleaning device, showing a glass in cleaning position, this View also showing a modified form of outer cleaning brush.

Fig. `'l is a horizontal `cross sectional, view through the lower `portion of the outside brush shown in Fig. 6. I

Fig. 8` is aside elevationof the inner cleaning device alone and on the same scale as the showing inFig.1l f,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, fhorizontal section along the line 9`9 in Fig. 1. I Y

Referring now more particularly and by reference characters to the drawings, my invention comprises a base unit or base housing A, a cleaning cylinder or casing B containing the inner cleaning Aunit C and outer cleaning units D, and the motor E for actuating said' cleaning units and other parts.

The base unit A includes a lower pump chamber Il) and upper gear chamber II and includes a flat base `plate I2 Ias its main supportingv eleff ment. Below this plate l2 the chamber I0 is defined and enclosedby apump vhousing I3 of elongated, substantially ovate shape as shown, and which is secured with its marginal upwardly turned walls I4 in upward` abutting relationship with the underside of the base plate, `by means ofscrews I5. The base plate is generally circular in'shape,` viewed from the top, but at `Vone side [has a rounded extension I6. Said pump housing I3 lits beneath this extension I6 and runs radially inward therefromto terminatel beneath, and enclose upwardly, the central portion of the plate,` as clearly shown in the drawings.

A gear housing I1 similar `in shape to the base plate I2 is secured by screws I8` to the upper side thereof with its marginal walls I9 in contact withl the marginal portions-of the plate. This is true except over the extension I6 `oi" the base plate where a part thereof is' left clear by the shortened and rounded extension wallZll of the gearhousing.v l I The motor E is supported atop 'a vertical, tubular standard or column 2| which' is rigidly secured at its lower end at 22 to the gear housing I1 or formed integrally therewith at a point at which the enclosed drive shaft 23 from the motor will depend into and' through the gear chamber II` centrally withy respect to the extended side of the housing A formed as described. A drive pinion 24 is screwed or otherwise fastened on this driveshaft within the extended wall 20 of the gear housing' I'I and meshes with a large vcleaning unit drive gear 25 which hasits hub 26 journaled by bearings 21 upon a tubular shaft `2B.` Said shaft28.` is secured rigidly in anupright position to the center of the base plate I2 and opens downwardly therethrough into the pump chamber `IU as clearly shown. A` bearing washer 29 supports the gear in alignment with the drive pinion.

The drive shaft 23 depends further below the drive pinion 24 through a large opening 3B in the base plate I2 and downwardly into the pump chamber IIJ. A pump rotor or impeller 3| is secured to this lower end of the drive shaft within the outer end portion of the-pump chamber I and, as shown best in Fig; 2, this rotor comprises a hubbed disk 32 provided with angularly turned and arcuately formed fins or blades 33. base plate I2 has water intake openings 34 formed around the outer portion of the shaft opening 30 so as to be exposed when the gear housing wall 26 covers this shaft opening, and

water may thus enter and flow downwardly to the center of the pump rotor 3I` for discharge radially therefrom by the rotary' action ofthe pump. The intake openings 34 are dened by downwardly and inwardly pressed and inclined portions 35 of the plate I2to guide the water tothe center ofthe pump rotor, and which portions are supported by radial, tapered ns 36 as shown. A removable` strainer orY grill 31 is provi-ded and has ap'ertured ears 38 for detachable connection with studs 39 on the gear housing I1. This strainer en'closes that area of the base plate I2 left free by the gear housing I1, and which area ofv course is provided with the intake openings 34, and narrow slots or notches 4U in the strainer permit'the inlet of water to the pump. whilestraining outV at least the larger particlesof foreign matter which. may be in the water.

The housing or casing B is. cylindrical in form openat both upper and lower ends 4I and 42 and is supported. upon. legs 43' onthe gear housing in. a. position. concentric or coaxial. withA the drive gear 25. These legs 43' space the lower end of the housing. from the topof the base A as indicated-at 441. Extended upwardly in the center of. this'housing B are the. glass cleaning. elements C` and D. A base disk or carrier. member 45 formsthe main support. for these cleaning devicesand it is` provided central-ly with. a-depended tubular col-lar 46 which fits nicely down over the upwardly extended and diametrically reduced neck 41l of the drivegear hub 26. A key 48 formed on thisv hubf engages a notchV 49 in the collarl 46v and forms a. driving connection such that the gear- 25 will rotate and support the disk 45' while the, disk. may at. any time be removed simply'by lifting it clear of the hub; The parts are so arranged thatv this disk 45 will operate in. a. horizontal piane adjacent the lower end of thehousingLB, asseen in 1.

The center brush or cleaning.F element C` cornprises a tubular body or spindle 50 provided at itslower end. with a diametrically extended'A hat base'. fiange 5If adapted to seatl atly on the upper center portion of the disk 45 so= that the bore through the spindle willy register and communicate with the bore through the shaft 28. Toy releasably retain the' spindle in this position, I` provide locking members or latchesr 52 which are secured to the upper surface of the disk 45 by mea-ns of lugs 53V cast thereon, or by' other suitable means and these latches arel arranged to radially engage and overlie the margins of the. basel flange I. This flange, intermediate thelatc'hes'52, is cut off straightly as indicated at" 54 so that by turning the spindle a part of one revolution', these straight portions-will move toward;` and clear the latches andk permit the entire center brush assembly'to be removed.

Thev

Mounted on the spindle as thus formed are three scrubbing elements or fins 55 of rubberized fabric or other suitable material, and which extend vertically and are secured tangentially to the sides of the spindle by means of rivets 56. The outer edges and upper ends of the fins 55 are thus left free to flex and bend as may be necessary in the operation of the device, and to increase the flexibility of these edges they are provided with slits at intervals, as shown at 51. The inner edge portions of the cleaning elements 55 are held rigid by upwardly tapering mounting plates 58 anchored at their ends by the said rivets. 56. The cleaning elements are mounted adjacent their inner edges and also taper in widthf upwardly toward the rounded upper ends 59, and these ends extend, as shown, some distance aboveV the upper end of the spindle 50.

Inner cleaning brushes 66 are secured to the outer surfaces of the scrubbing elements 55 and have their bristle tufts anchored in a.- twisted wire member 6I having its upper and lower ends 62 turned through openings 63 in the mounting plates 58, and clamped thereunder as shown. lThe bristles thus radiate from the mounted portions of the scrubbing elements and are disposed between the flexible outer edges thereof.

The outer cleaning device D comprises three brushes 64 which are supported in the channeled brush holders 55 so that the bristle tufts extend inwardly into commingling engagement with the brushes and to a point inwardly of and' between the outer fiexible edges of the scrubbing elements 55. The brush holders are secured in upright positions at 66 to the disk 45 near the margins thereof and the brush backs 61 are slidably mounted within the inwardly turned vertical margins 68 of the brush holders and drop downwardly therein until they come to rest upon stop lugs 69 turned inwardly from the brush holders as best shown in Fig. 6. The brushes are thus readily removable and replaceable as will be evident.

The outer brushes 64 may have bristle tufts from top to bottom or, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, they may have a series of bristles at their upper ends and then the lower inwardly turned scrubbing elements or fins 1U, similar in material and use to the aforesaid scrubbing elements 55. These ns 10 comprise separate pieces or strips 'II secured atv one margin by rivets 12 to the brush backs 61 and extended inwardly therefrom in mutually engaging and supporting relation. One strip extends beyond the other and is provided with slits 13 to lend added flexibility to the edge which engages the glass or article to be cleaned.

The upper end 4I of the casing B is tted with a removable annular and hollow cap member or cap ring 14 provided with a marginal downwardly turned flange 15 for frictionally engaging the casing. This cap member comprises inner and outer shells 16 and 11 which are joined or welded together at 1B with a liquid tight fit and together define an annular water chamber 19. A soft rubber guard ring 8!) is seated by its exterior groove 8| over the inner margin of the outer shell and rests downwardly upon the further extended inner margin of the inner shell, this lower surface of the guard ring being provided with a series of spaced notches 82 which constitute water discharge openings.

The outer marginal portion of the inner cap shell 16 has an opening 83 adapted to fit over and receive the upper end of a water tube or duct member 84 secured vertically within the wall of the casing B on the side thereof toward the motor E and standard 2 I.v The lower end of the water tube isrigidly aiiixedto the junction `85 of a pair of V-shaped water circulating duct members or legs 86 which are hollow as shown and with the interior of which the said tube communicates. These legs 86 act also as supporting legs for the side of the casing B and extend in diverging relation out over the gear housing l1 to terminate in outwardly closed ends 81, at each side ofthe standard 2l, where the said ends communicate with passages or ducts .rubber suction cups 9| on its base portion as shown. The motor E is then connected to an outlet and set in operation causing the pinion `24 to rotate the gear 25 and the connected assembly of the disk 45 and inner and outer cleaning` devices C and D. At the same time the pump 4impeller 3| is rotated and the water taken in from the tank F through the strainer 31 and the vvintake openingsr34 is discharged forcibly by the pump and flows upwardly through the tubular .shaft 28 andcenter spindle 50, as well as upwardly through the. openings 89, ducts 88, legs 86,

Aand water tube 84,1where it enters the cap ring 14 and is discharged. inwardly and radially through the notches 82. This action continues as long as the machine operates, and the water discharged at the top of the machine of course returns to the tank through the space 44 beneath `the casing .B, causing a continual circulation in `the tank.

The glass G to be cleaned is inverted and .passed downwardly within the guard ring. 80,`

which protects it from chipping or breaking, and

is forced downwardly over theV scrubbing members 55 and inwardly of the outer brushesY 64. The glass is held against rotation in the manner `shown and the rotating brushes and scrubbingV `elements will thus quite obviously thoroughly 59 of the inner elements 55lare capable of folding and collapsing as necessary toreach all portions of the bottom of the glass. `The scrubbing elements are particularly beneficial `incornpletely cleaning the glasses of all lm and leave the glasses in sparkling condition. It will be noted that the inner and outer cleaning elements nestor intermesh as viewed from the top,

vthus assuring that they will effectively engage and` clean the glasses.

When the machinevis not in use the water drains from the cleaning elements allowing them to dry and preventing .undue deterioration of the material used in their fabrication. The machine is thus seen to require the use of a minimum of water in its operation and effects a further saving thereby.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire t protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A'glass cleaning machine adapted for operation while partially immersed in a cleansing liquid comprising, a base unit, inner and outer glass cleaning devices supported above the base unit and operative for cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of a glass inverted and placed in operative engagement therewith, power actuated means in the ba unit for pumping cleansing liquid :upwardly for discharge over the inner surface o f the glass, a tubular member extended upwardly alongside the glass cleaning devices and connected to said liquid pumping means for carrying a part of the liquid therefrom upwardly, and an annular water discharge member `removably connected with the said tubular member and communicating therewith for discharging the liquid inwardly over the outer surface of the glass. v j Q 2.' A glass `cleaningdevic'e for operation in a cleansing liquid and comprising a base unit, a casing supported above the base unit, glass cleaning devices arranged in the casing and operative for cleaning inner and outer surfaces of a glassplaced in engagement therewith through the upper end of the casing,l a liquid pumping means' in the base unit, duct means for carrying liquid upwardly from the pumping means,.and

a removable annular member on the upper end `of the casing connected to said duct means and having discharge openings for discharging liquid over the outer surfaces of the glass and oversaid outer cleaning devices.

3. A glass cleaning device for operation in a cleaning liquid` and comprising a base unit, a` l casing supported above the base unit, glass cleaning devices arranged in the casing and operative for cleaning inner and outer surfaces of a glass placed in engagement therewith through the upper end of the casing, a liquid pumping means in the base unit, duct means for carrying liquid upwardly from the pumping means, and a removable annular member on the upper end of the casing connected to said duct means and having discharge openings for dis- `charging liquid over the outer surfaces ofV the glass and over said outer cleaning devices, the

`said annular member having an inner diameter smaller than that ofthe casing and the said discharge openings being located immediately over gl'ass engaging portions of the said outer cleaning of the casing .and communicating 4with the-said ductelement, and a resilient guard ring yextending .around the inner .diametrical margin -of the .cap member .and having openings ,fordischarging liquid from the cap member over the glass.

5. A glass cleaning device, comprising a base unit, -a casing, legs Asupporting one side of the casing, glass cleaning devices operatively mount- .ed in the casing, a liquid .pump in the .base unit, means fior conducting liquid discharged from the pump upwardly through .the casing said means including a duct member on the casing, and hollow leg membersy Acommunieating with the ,pump and ,duct member and supporting one `side lof. the .casingv opposite to the said legs.

N6.. Aglass cleaning machine comprising a base unit, a liquid pump in the base unit, the said ,pump having outlet means opening .through the upper s ide ,of .the base unit, glass cleaning devices .supported above the base unit, a hollow `conducting member removably mounted above 4.the base unit. and in communication with the .Said numpfoutlet means, a. duct member leading upwardly from the said conducting member for carrying liquid from` the pump to the glass Cleaning devices, and a casing mounted over the .glass cleaning devices and supported in spaced ,relation to the .base unit in part by the ,said members carrying .the liquid from the pump.

'7. In a glass cleaning machine, the combination including, abase unit, glass cleaning devices .supported thereon, the said base unit comprising ,a base plate andfa superimposed housing member arranged `to .leave a portion of the base plate exposed, liquid inlet openings formed in `the .exposed ,area .of the .base plate, liquid pumping `means for supplying liquid to the cleaning devices, the .said pumping` means being located 4beneath the base plate and communicating with .said inlet openings, ,and a strainer removably mounted on the housing and enclosing the exposed portion of the base plate.

8. In a glass cleaning machine, a base unit comprising superimposed pump and gear housings, lthe said Pumphousing extending outwardly .at .one side kfrom beneath the gear housing, inlet .means the exposed portion of the pump housing, outlet means communicating with the pump housing, a pump .in the housing for drawing in a cleansing liquid through the inlet means and discharging the liquid from the outlet means, glass cleaning devices arranged above the base unit, means in the gearr housing for operating the said devices, and means for conducting cleansing liquid from the said outlet means to the cleaning devices.

9. In a glass cleaning machine, a base unit comprising superimposed pump and gear housings, the ,said pump housing extending otwardly at one side from beneath the gear housing, inlet means in the exposed portion of the pump housing, outlet means communicating with the pump housing, a pump in the housing for drawing in a cleansing liquid .through the inlet means and discharging the liquid from the outlet means, ,a strainer secured to the gear housing and supported over the said inlet means, glass cleaning devices arranged o n the base unit, means including gears in the gear housing for operating the cleaning devices, and means connected tothe said outlet means for discharging cleansing liquid over the cleaning devices.

y10. VIn a glass cleaning andscrubbing machine, a. base` unit comprising a pump housing, and Aa. gear housing superimposed thereon, a pumpaces-,co7

4ing element .in the pump housing, gears in the gear housing, glass scrubbing devices operatively connected to .one of the. gears, a motor standard supported by and above the housings, a motor supported on the standard and connected to both 4the pumping element and gears, fluid inlet means in the pump housing adjacent the said motor standard, and outlet means in the pump housing communicating with at least one of the scrubbing devices to supply fluid thereto.

11. In a glass cleaning and scrubbing machine, `a base unit comprising a pump housing and a gear housing superimposed thereon, gears in the gear housing, glass scrubbing devices operatively connected to the gears, a pump in the pump housing, means for operating the gears and pump, inlet means for the pump housing, outlet means extending through and forming a part of the gear .housing and communicating with the pump housing, and means for conducting a liquid from the said outlet means to the glass scrubbing devices.

12. A glass cleaning machineA adapted for operation while partially immersed in a cleansing liquid comprising, a base unit, inner and outer 'glass cleaning devices supported above the base unit and operative for cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of a glass inverted and placed in operative .engagement therewith, power .actuated means in the base unit for pumping cleansing liquid upwardly for discharge over the inner surface of the glass, a tubular member connected to said liquid pumping means for carrying a part of the liquid therefrom upwardly, .and an annular water discharge member connected with the said tubular member to receive liquid therefrom and for discharging the liquid over the outer surface of the glass.

13. A glass cleaning machine comprising a base unit for operation in a body of cleansing liquid, a casing supported on the base unit to project .above the liquid level, glass cleaning devices arranged in the casing and operative for cleaning inner and outer surfaces of a .glass placed in engagement therewith through the upper end of the casing, a liquid pumping means in the base unit, duct means for carrying liquid upwardly from the pumping means, and a removable annular member on the upper end of the casing connected to said duct means and having discharge openings for discharging liquid to the outer surfaces of the glass and to said outer ,cleaning devices.

14. A glass cleaning machine comprising a base unit for operation while submerged in a body of cleansing liquid, said base unit having a pump chamber with an inlet opening through which liquid may pass from said body, a pump in the chamber, a casing mounted on the base -unit to project above the surface of the liquid body, inner and outer glass cleaning devices arranged in the casing for cleaning inner and outer surfaces of a glass placed in engagement therewith, and separate conduit means for conducting cleansing liquid from the pump chamber to the respective inner and outer cleaning devices.

l5. A glass cleaning machine comprising a base unit for operation in the lower part ofv a receptacle containing cleansing liquid to an approximate predetermined level, a` pump in the base unit having an inlet through which liquid may pass from the liquid in the receptacle, a casing mounted on the base unit to project above vsaid liquid level, inner and outer glass cleaning devices arranged within the casing and above the level of said liquid in the receptacle, means for simultaneously operating said cleaning devices and pump, and means for separately conducting cleansing liquid from the pump to the respective inner and outer cleaning devices.

16. A glass cleaning machine comprising a base unit for operation in the lower part of a receptacle containing cleansing liquid to an approximate predetermined level, a pump in the base unit having an inlet through which liquid may pass from the liquid in the receptacle, a casing mounted on the base unit to project above said liquid level, inner and outer glass cleaning devices arranged Within the casing and above the level of said liquid in the receptacle, means for simultaneously operating said cleaning devices and pump, means for conducting cleansing liquid from the pump upwardly through the inner' cleaning device to the inner surface of the glass to be cleaned, and tubular means for conducting cleansing liquid from the pumpto a point above the aforesaid liquid level and then discharging it so that it will pass downwardly over the outer surface of the glass to be cleaned and into the outer cleaning element.

17. A glass cleaning machine comprising a base unit for operation While submerged in a body of cleansing liquid, said base unit having a pump chamber and a gear chamber disposed thereover, said pump chamber having an inlet through which cleansing fluid may enter, a pump element in the pump chamber 'and gears in the gear chamber, drive means for said pump element and gears, a casing mounted on the b-ase to project above the normal surface level of the said cleansing liquid, inner and outer cleaning elements rotatably arranged in the casing and connected for rotation by said gears, and separate conduit means connected directly to the pump chamber to receive cleansing liquid therefrom and deliver it respectively to said inner and outer cleaning elements.

CASPER F. HANSON. 

